Bountiful Results

From the Declaration of Independence … “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

I want to stress that we were endowed with the right to pursue happiness.  Happiness is not a right.  I should not expect someone else to provide me with happiness if I cannot achieve it through my efforts.

When I get bountiful results, I feel great happiness because the fruits of my efforts have been realized.  Accomplishing goals brings me so much more happiness than objects and physical things.  The memories of the pursuit are cherished as much as the results.

A couple things that I think help us achieve happiness are:

• Understanding where are values are and aligning our actions with our values.  I value freedom, family, and personal accountability.  I love the freedom to do what I think is best for my family and I take full responsibility for it.
• Understanding that most lasting happiness is built over time – one piece at a time and built with pleasure in the process of accomplishment.

In doing some research for this blog, I found a great site that had the following quotes that I feel reflect my perception of happiness.  http://www.thehappyguy.com

Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.
This definition of happiness by Dr. Benjamin Spock

Happiness comes only from appreciating what you have right now. You can even be happy by appreciating your troubles because they are helping to build your character.
This definition of happiness by Harriet Meyerson

The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.
This definition of happiness by Martha Washington.

Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually.
This definition of happiness by Stephen Covey

For me, Happiness is our perspective of our efforts and the results that they have produced. I can be happy about a failed attempt to accomplish something if I know that I have successfully found a way not to do it.  We can learn from our failures and our obstacles.  Store that information away and recall it the next time you are in a similar situation.

I know that I am responsible for my happiness.  I must not let others dictate my happiness.  I must not blame others when I am not happy.  Pursue bountiful results in your life and happiness will join you in the pursuit.

We live in a very high tech world. We have software for everything.  I cannot remember most of the phone numbers that I need because they are electronically stored in a speed dial. When was the last time that you multiplied 2 or 3 digit numbers without a calculator?  Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of technology.  I am using it right now.

What technology should not replace is:

• Quality family time
• Decision making
• Face to face communication
• Problem solving

Bountiful results for the family starts with more open communication – face to face.  Our body language is more than 60% of our communication.  The expression on our face, the shifting of the eyes and even the way we have our body positioned says much about the message we are presenting.  I can not see that in an e-mail, a note on the counter or even a phone call.  We need to carve out time away from technology to listen to our significant other’s needs and thoughts.  We need to be face to face with our children and seek to understand what is going on in their life.  Remember,  they will be saying more with their body than their words.  Wikipedia has some great information on Body Language.

It is a great idea to collect information using technology.  There is a lot of software that will organize the data into a nice package or presentation. When it is time to make a decision based on the information, it is best to listen to that inner voice or pay attention to that feeling in your gut.  These are reactions caused by past experiences.  They deserve as much weight in the decision making as the data does.  I personally have gone against the collected data when I made a decision because I wasn’t confident about the accuracy of the data collection.  We need listen to our heart and our mind will follow.

Problem solving has been enhanced by technology, but should never replace the super computer that we all have been blessed with; our brain.  Isn’t it amazing how all of our past experiences are kept for reference?  All it takes is something similar to recall an event from 20 years ago.  Again, collect the information and then run it through your body.  Is your mind recalling any relevant information? How does your gut feel about it?  Is your heart convinced that it is right?

If the power goes out and the cell phone battery dies, you are left with what mankind has used for thousands of years – the bountiful results within yourself.  Make sure that you keep them sharp

I salute you!  Thank you for your service.  Thank you for your sacrifices.

One of my mentors is a retired 22 year veteran of the Army.  The lessons that I have learned from him have been priceless.  The Military is either actively insuring our freedom or training to be prepared for service of our nation’s needs.  They are the epitome of planning for bountiful results.  They understand every critical issue that they may face and prepare tirelessly for success in the event that they need to apply the training.  In the business world, if we have a bad day, we may lose some money or a customer.  On the battlefield, a bad day may cost some lives.

Some of the less obvious contributions our military has contributed to society have been:

• A standardization of the way things are to be done.  A sequence to follow each and every time.
• Leadership Standards – They breed leaders that will own their accountability and not leave a man behind.
• Integrity and a code of conduct.  I personally have not met a disrespectful veteran.
• Work ethic -  See the mission through to the end.
• Teamwork – The impossible is accomplished when many work together as one.
• Loyalty – They run toward their responsibilities, instead of running away.

I am wiser and more prepared because of the lessons that LJ has shared with me.  Do you know a veteran that you can learn from?

Please give our veterans the respect they deserve.  They have already done it for you.  HUA!

The economy is not great.  People are still losing their jobs.  At times, we have to dig deep to find the motivation to do our best.  I need a cheerleader.  People need a cheerleader,  someone to give us a pat on the back and a word of encouragement – such as “hang in there” or “keep up the good work”.

Go the extra mile with me.  Make it a personal challenge to help at least two people each day.  Help them feel better about themselves.  Make them smile or better yet, make them laugh.  It is true – laughter is the best medicine.  I know that when someone makes me laugh, I temporarily forget about the stress that seems to hover over head.  It is like a reset button.  This did not eliminate the source of the stress, but it did knock down the build up.

My daughters are great for a laugh.  Their imagination’s run wild and their chatter even wilder.  They try so hard to get us to clap for them and tell them that they are great.  I laugh because they are trying so hard that they get tripped up in their own feet or their mouth gets too far ahead of the brain and all that is coming out is jibber.  What happened to us as we got older.  I know that for me it is more difficult to find that kind of untethered energy and drive.  Is that why we need a cheerleader or someone to give us a hand up.  OK, I digress a little.

Here are a few things that I do to cheer on others:

• Thank them for what they have done.
• Point out their improvements.  If you notice the small things – those often mean the most.
• Remember what they were working on the last time you met or spoke and ask how it is progressing.
• Empathize – not sympathize.
• Find a reason to compliment them. Not that there isn’t one, just be observant .
• Smile!
• Share a joke or a funny story to alleviate the building stress of the day.

You can make the difference in someones day,  wouldn’t you rather it be a positive one?

Going the extra mile is very rewarding. I firmly believe that bountiful results are found along the extra mile.  Average will not be found there. As a matter of fact,  my sign that reads; “NOTICE: No Mediocrity Beyond this Point!” should probably hang at the start of this extra mile.  The extra mile starts half way up that proverbial glass.  You know, the one that has generated all that debate about is it half full or half empty.  When I fill my glass up to the top along the extra mile, there is no debate, it is full.  Along the extra mile is where you will discover that your potential is far greater than you have believed.  You will see your results start to multiply.

My boss would ask me to contribute to the meeting and I would offer to run it for him.  I went the extra mile to gain those extra management skills and to gain comfort leading the meetings and other people.  Those journeys beyond what was required led to my promotion.  I also find great happiness in offering unsolicited praise and recognition.  Not only can it lift the other person up, it does wonders for your own morale.

The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching.  Seek out someone that needs a hand or needs help finding a reason to be thankful. Help them up and then ask them to walk the extra mile with you while you seek out the next person that needs a hand up.

Why do so many people say “Thank God It’s Friday”?  Is it because it is pay day or the day of the week that is the most rewarding.  I know that there are many reasons.

I know from first hand experience, when we are wishing for Friday to come because we are miserable at work, the paycheck will never seem like it is enough to compensate us for what we perceive to be the anguish that we have to endure.  It seemed like a never ending spiral.

One day I was at a crossroad and had a really tough decision to make.  Do I quit my job and spare my sanity or do I continue to endure the madness for the sake of providing income for my family.  Luckily, I found a third option.  I remembered something that Zig Ziglar said about making two lists – one list of the things that we like about our job and another the dislikes.  I made the lists.  I did discover that the benefits and positives did outweigh the negatives.  I then took the negatives and broke that list into two groups.  One list that I could turn into positives by communicating with someone that controlled the negative.  For example, I resented being put on mandatory overtime.  I approached my supervisor and shared with him that I was willing to work overtime when necessary and if I could get an advanced notice of an increase in the work load, we could re-prioritize the schedule and even head off some of the overtime.  It was a win-win.  The other negatives I had to accept as part of the deal.

I also realized that most are not fortunate enough to love every aspect of their job.  It is called work and they do have to pay us to do it.

Can we make the most of our time at work?  Absolutely.  Happiness is not the money we earn.  Happiness is not even the title or status in the company.  It is the experiences that we have while doing our job.  Are you leaving a legacy?  Are you able to make another persons life easier or more rewarding because of what you do?  The answer to both of these is YES.  If you cannot see it, I would love to assist you.  You can e-mail me at john@bountifulresults.com

May all your results be Bountiful.

The answer is 1,440.

The question should be – How many minutes a day do you spend improving your quality of life?

Today, we live in a time where our day is measured by minutes (1,440), not hours.  It is a slow day if we only have 20 things to do.  If I am not careful, I can get caught up in the quantity of things to do.  It is the quality of what we do that matters.

If I may go back to the farm for a minute, the health of the plant was critical to the amount of vegetables it could produce and the size of the vegetables.   Likewise, my health has to be at the top of the list for those precious minutes that are being fought over.  I would not think of depriving a plant of sunlight and water, yet I have been guilty of depriving myself of exercise and a balanced diet.  Do you see where I am going?

I watched someone demonstrate  the perfect time management example using a glass jar, some rocks, some pebbles and some sand.  He said that the rocks are your quality items, the things that are of great value to you.  The pebbles are the daily tasks and the things that may be required or have been hanging around on your list.  The sand is the unexpected and unforeseen tasks such as phone calls, e-mails, questions or “fires that need to be put out”.  If the sand starts pouring into jar before you can get the rocks and pebbles into place you are done – they will not fit.  Let me see a show of hands.  How many of you are going through this right now?

Schedule the rocks in first- the pebbles and sand will often fit around them.

Here are my big rocks:

• My health
• My family
• Quiet time for planning
• My career

That is it for today, with not a minute to spare.